HUTTO, Texas -- The Hutto Independent School District is looking to shed $1.2 million from its budget next school year. The cuts will affect teachers, students and faculty.
The district fell into a shortfall following state cuts to public education. Now every campus in Hutto ISD is facing the repercussions.
On Wednesday, the district's school board is hearing the public's opinion before approving the proposed budget reductions. The recommendations call for breaking up the cuts into three different tiers.
In tier one, cuts would hit athletics, transportation and individual campuses. The athletics cuts include eliminating standby ambulance services at football games, cutting security at some games and cutting student meals during travel.
Cuts in tier two would eliminate jobs in custodial, nursing, and transportation. Several teaching positions would also be eliminated in music and art. Transportation cuts would affect both drivers and students.
The board is also considering reducing training, safety and drug testing for its employees. It would also cut instructional field trips and travel for the band, drill and cheer teams to away football games. Families would be asked to pay for their child’s transportation as well.
Under tier three, more jobs will be slashed including assistant principals, counselors and receptionists. The teacher-student ratio would also increase.
"When you've already cut those large, big ticket items and you don't have those anymore, because you've already cut them out, that's what you're left with," said Emily Grobe of Hutto ISD.
Hutto ISD already eliminated $4.5 million from its budget for the current school year. It wasn't enough. When Hutto tried to pass a six cent property tax increase back in November to make up the difference, it failed.
"We closed an entire campus. We closed Veteran's Hill Elementary. We cut 26, a little more than 26 percent out of our administration; we lost 70 staff members," said Grobe.
The public can speak at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hutto High School. A final decision could come at the board’s meeting scheduled for March 9.
